Boots the house down Brisbane: Melt Festival’s biggest program ever is here
Brisbane’s biggest celebration of queer art and culture just took things to the next level. Produced by the Brisbane Powerhouse, Melt won’t just be constrained to one (albeit one very excellent) venue, but will instead occupy some of the city’s most iconic destinations. From the river to the inner city, the State Library and several of the Powerhouse’s intimate venue spaces, Melt Festival is taking over the town this October. Here’s what’s on the cards …
Revealing its largest-ever program, this year’s Melt program is transforming the entire city into a vibrant destination for queer excellence from Wednesday October 21 to Sunday November 8. Welcoming the LGBTQIA+ community, allies and families discovering Melt for the first time, the festival invites Brisbane to come together, celebrate and experience the city in fabulous new ways.
For the first time, the program launch will see the Brisbane Pride Rally and March and Fair Day align with the River Pride Parade, encompassing Fortitude Valley, New Farm and the Brisbane River.
As the sun sets, the River Pride Parade returns for a new twilight event, leading a bevy of colourful party boats (from some familiar names such as WET ON DECK, Come To Daddy, Splash Out and FUEL) as well as watercraft that will cruise from West End to the Brisbane Powerhouse.
The opening festivies don’t end there – Melt’s Opening Party will kick off at the Brisbane Powerhouse, with DJs and live entertainment until late.
This massive opening weekend sets the stage for a fortnight of grand affairs, spanning workshops, community events and a 15-metre-high pink duck floating down the Brisbane River. Yes, you read that right. Florentijn Hofman’s Rubber Duck has been reimagined in Melt’s signature pink hue, and will debut near the CBD, before joining the River Pride Parade and then making the Powerhouse its home for the rest of the festival.
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Contemporary circus group Circa has created an immersive production exclusively for Melt. Show Me Love transforms the Powerhouse into a performance journey, before culminating in a club-culture-inspired finale.
For more high-energy events, make sure to note The Butterfly Flew Who Flew Into The Rave in your diary – this theatrical experience by award-winning choreographer Oli Mathiesen condenses the chaos and catharsis of a three-day rave into a phenomenal performance.
After 2025’s successful Miss First Nations drag queen event celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, 2026 will welcome the inaugural Mr First Nations drag kings to the stage. After two free heats, there’ll be a glittering final during opening weekend.
Some of Australia’s (and the world’s) favourite artists will join the line-up – the likes of Courtney Barnett, pop icon Melanie C, TEEKS and emerging Queensland singer-songwriter Jude York.
There’s plenty more on the program to get your heart pumping, and your feathers ruffled, so don’t hesitate to snatch up some tickets to Brisbane’s biggest Melt Festival celebration yet.
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